For many of us, the start of a new year is a chance to make lifestyle improvements. After the chaos of the festive period is over, you might think about the changes you want to make in 2026 and beyond.
Being more organised could be a common resolution as it makes life easier and can help you work towards other important goals throughout the year.
What you might not realise is that being more methodical could actually improve your health and allow you to live a longer life.
Read on to learn more.
Research shows that certain personality traits, including being organised, improve your lifespan
Typically, when we talk about the behaviours that affect lifespan, we consider physical factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, or alcohol intake. However, research shows that your personality could also have a significant impact on your long-term health and wellbeing.
According to the Guardian, a study of 22,000 adults measured mortality rates and considered how they correlated with various personality traits.
The results showed that the respondents tended to live longer if they self-described as being:
- Organised
- Responsible
- Hard-working
- Thorough
- Active.
This suggests that individuals who have more control over their schedules, put more structure in place, and are generally proactive about life are healthier. There are several reasons why this might be the case.
Better organisation can make it easier to stick to healthy routines
If you’ve ever set a new year resolution, and failed after a few weeks, you’ll know how difficult it can be to get into a healthy routine. Whether you want to exercise more, eat better, or improve your work-life balance, you need to make those behavioural changes stick.
This might be more achievable for an organised person.
For example, if you want to improve your diet, you might find it easier if you write a clear meal plan every week. That way, you can be sure there is always healthy food to eat and you don’t fall back on unhealthy convenience foods and snacks.
This is just one example of how being more organised could help you maintain healthy behaviours.
How to develop healthy routines in 2026
- Plan meals for the week to ensure you always have healthy options.
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Start with a small, achievable exercise goal you can easily incorporate into your schedule.
Greater control over your life may reduce stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can put pressure on your mental and physical wellbeing, leading to long-term health issues. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from severe stress.
According to WeCovr, four in five people in the UK are currently experiencing symptoms of chronic stress. This can lead to health problems including:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Digestive issues
- Memory problems.
In the long term, stress has also been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
One reason why organised people might live longer is that they may be less likely to experience stress. If you have a clear schedule and you’re on top of all your professional and personal responsibilities, you feel in control. Meanwhile, a disorganised person might feel as though life is getting on top of them, leading to more anxiety.
How to organise your time and reduce stress in 2026
- Use a calendar app to keep track of all your responsibilities.
- Break each day down into small chunks of time for improved productivity.
- Schedule time for relaxation and hobbies so you always have time to unwind.
Scheduling your time could make it easier to maintain a healthy social life
Loneliness is another significant contributor to poor health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that, globally, loneliness is linked to 871,000 deaths a year. That’s why regular social activities could be incredibly positive for your health.
Unfortunately, when you have lots of work and home responsibilities, maintaining your social circle can be difficult.
Staying on top of your schedule in 2026 might help you free up more time to dedicate to social activities.
How to maintain an active social life in 2026
- Treat social events like other important appointments and schedule them with plenty of notice.
- Look for structured activities such as exercise classes or hobby groups.
- Learn to say no to certain events or responsibilities so you can prioritise socialising.
Small changes could make a big difference to your health in 2026
As we approach the start of a new year, you might consider following some of these simple tips to get organised and improve your physical and mental health.
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Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.